Ho-Ho-Kus hears debate over redrawing lot to allow 11 homes

HO-HO-KUS — Testimony on a proposal to subdivide nearly 4 acres of mostly wooded land into 11 single-home plots continued before the Planning Board on Thursday night.The planned project, known as the Hollows at Ho-Ho-Kus, is being spearheaded by Chamberlain Developers of Upper Saddle River.

Bruce Whitaker, the attorney for Chamberlain Developers, questioned the proposed subdivision’s surveyor, Doug Smith, on Thursday about his work at the site.

The plan is being opposed by a group of homeowners who argue it would change the character of the neighborhood. Nine couples with homes within 200 feet of the proposed subdivision have hired Ho-Ho-Kus attorney Robert Inglima to represent them at board hearings.

The subject parcel — site of a large single-family house and a number of accessory structures — is located at West Saddle River Road and Hollywood Avenue, extending to Van Dyke Drive.

Inglima pointed out that an easement seems to exist along West Saddle River Road that was granted decades ago to AT&T and questioned whether that would have any impact on drainage proposed as part of the planned subdivision.

Inglima also said previous restrictions placed on the site — indicating only one, single-family home could be constructed on the property — may still be enforceable. Whitaker disagreed, saying the restriction has been long expired.

As proposed, seven of the 11 subdivided lots would be accessible from West Saddle River Road through a proposed cul-de-sac. The four other properties would have frontage on Van Dyke.